A New Platform [Intro Post October]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Horsehoe. Points have been updated on the system and new stock is available."

They have indeed and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train a while will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and they are soon surrounded by the fog that means they are at a platform. The first thing they may notice is that this platform is inside a basic shelter, making it warmer than the last couple at least.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Adora, Alex Hashimoto, Catra, Cloud Strife, Elizabeth Midford, Feanor, Gerome, Gladiolus Amicitia, Glimmer, Ifrit, Isabella D’Oro, Maru, Nari Reno, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prompto Argentum, Scorpia, Siobahn Chereshei, SXT-2, Tamamo-no-Mae, Tony Stark, Uta, Zidane Tribal

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam. Billowing around them as they come to their senses. The second thing they will notice is it is gloomy, even without the steam and fog. They are in a wooden building, open to the tracks on one side. It in a creaky shelter, cobwebs hang from the rafters and there is a peculiar whistle as wind finds its way through the cracks.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own, styles they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze but then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large and it holds nineteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. Both left and right the tracks disappear into the mist. Then there is a roaring sound and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out into the gloom step a selection of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

The Train

The doors hiss open. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there is anywhere else to go and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would not be a good thing. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Indeed whereas usually there is plenty time for people to be met and brought slowly onto the train, the whistles blow a lot quicker this time, as if hurrying the passengers along.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information. The store rooms have been restocked, with… teddy bear shaped luncheon meat being the main ingredient to be found. There are plenty of other staples.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a room full of lockers, designated as the Armoury. Even for passengers without weapons it is somewhere to secure possessions. There are instructions on how to use the lockers and enough for everyone to claim one.

New passengers will find their tickets allow them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

Room is tight but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches and you will hopefully find a pillow for your bed if it has not been nabbed by a roommate, there are also spare blankets for if it gets cold.

Departure

A second horn sounds over the noise of the hail stones to encourage any stragglers braving the snow and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express." A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

[strawberryprotector]

"Big, blue hair, half a panther jaw on his right cheek, consistently causin' King gay panic. He's our roommate, an' I ain't sufferin' King's repressed gayness alone any more." Zangetsu sighed dramatically, changing his position to lay across three machines.

[adregem]

The higgledies ignore Zangetsu eventually, resuming whatever little tasks they set themselves to do. Roland may not even be aware that this version of Ichigo - this part of his soul - won't even see the higgledies as they are, given the requirement of being pure of heart to even acknowledge their presence.

Roland remains still even as Zangetsu continues to get comfortable on the washing machines.

"Alright. So you're essentially saying you're bored because Ichigo won't actively attack another passenger?" He represses a sigh, answer said dryly. "And what do you want me to do about it?"

...He really hopes he won't regret asking Zangetsu that.

[strawberryprotector]

The question startled Zangetsu, he wasn't used to anyone caring about his opinion. Sure, Ichigo did sometimes, but this was someone new. Someone he wasn't a piece of. "I...I don't know. Jus' wanted to have someone t' bitch at since King's ignorin' me on it." He picked at a bit of invisible lint on the front of his clothing, not meeting Roland's eyes.

1/2

[adregem]

There's an almost comedic look on Roland's face as he regards Zangetsu.

[adregem]

"Something tells me that someone's me, huh?" He shakes his head, his initial apprehension fading into a smirk of amusement. He tries not to think this out too loudly, in case any bond may come through, but maybe he's not as big and scary as he initially saw him to be in that memory cave?

"Okay then. Uh, rant away. Tell me more about this pussy cat and what you're so worried about." He makes a gesture with his hand, as if to encourage him to continue. The laundry wouldn't be for a while yet.

[strawberryprotector]

"Well...I mean, he's one o' King's best opponents. Really pushes the two of us when we fight 'im. An' King's not worried about him eatin' anyone now, 'cause this place made it so he eats normal food. An' I wanna fight 'im, and I can feel how much King wants ta fight 'im. But he won't."

[adregem]

"Isn't that for the best, though?" Roland poses, feeling it out. Happy to let his higgledies do some of the work while the washing machines spin on their own time. "This isn't exactly the place for a skirmish, even if you all want to do it."

[strawberryprotector]

Zangetsu nodded reluctantly. "I suppose. But it's real damn boring. Now they just bitch at each other instead. Pretty sure they wanna jus' make out or somethin' but they're both too damn stubborn."

[adregem]

"Well, forgive me for being presumptuous but if they're that frustrated...Why not just go for it, then?" He feels like he shouldn't be advising or enabling teenage behavior this way, but honestly -

"Uh, not the fighting." He shrugs, smile growing on his face slightly embarrassed. "If it's mutual...Sounds a whole lot better than duking it out on a cramped train, at least?"

What in the world is he saying to the other half of his bondmate?!

[strawberryprotector]

Zangetsu sighed heavily and threw up his hands. "Fuck if I know! I wish they would do it already, make out or whatever they need to do to get rid of the tension. The windstorms in King's inner world are getting ridiculous."

[adregem]

"The windstorms, huh? What's that feel like?" Roland does find that curious, given his own bond with his soulmate is no longer as painful or dark a pull on his heart as it once was. In fact, as they travel in the void, Roland...can only really feel small tugs that connects him and Doloran, now. A work of the train, or where it goes, he can only assume.

[strawberryprotector]

"Humid, gross, 'n cold." Zangetsu wrinkled his nose. "Like a hurricane without the rain. 'Cause it only rains when King's sad."

[adregem]

"That does sound pretty unpleasant." Roland makes a small expression, acknowledging it for what it was. The load of laundry begins to slow in the washing machine, a beep to signal it's almost done. "Do you...want me to tell him anything?" Not that he's any stronger of a pull than Zangetsu already is, but hey. Why not?

[strawberryprotector]

"Think ya can trap 'em both in a closet until they kiss 'n get it over with or somethin'?" Was Zangetsu pouting? Absolutely. Would he ever admit it? Absolutely not

[adregem]

Roland stifles a chuckle, awkward as it might sound at first. "Uh...I'll do my best. Not sure how he'll take it, but if I get the chance, I'll play matchmaker."

[strawberryprotector]

Zangetsu dropped his head forward dramatically, giving the closest approximation of a bow that he was willing to. "Thank you. Maybe King'll listen t' you."

[adregem]

The washing machine stops running and that's Roland's cue to take the load out, crouching down with a basket in hand. He stifles a chuckle. "Well, would you look at that. You've got a soft side to you after all. Heh."

Thank you for the thread!

[strawberryprotector]

A dark blue blush flooded Zangetsu's cheeks. "Do not." In embarrassment, he vanished instantly.